Food business networking on menu at Big Buyers Brunch
April 9, 2026
The best of Staffordshire’s food and drink producers, manufacturers and wholesalers will be looking to connect with hospitality, leisure and retail buyers at a BIG Buyers Brunch event in Burton upon Trent.
Hosted by Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub and FinditinStokeandStaffs, the BIG Buyers Brunch: A Taste of East Staffordshire – Food, Drink & The Visitor Economy is designed to strengthen the county’s supply chains.
A short programme of presentations will be followed by expo-style networking and a relaxed brunch, offering ample opportunities to connect with buyers and suppliers, explore opportunities and gain practical procurement guidance.
Growth Hub Manager Rachel Wood said: “Our BIG Buyers Brunch events are designed to provide insight, connections and opportunities for businesses of all sizes.
“The BIG Buyers Brunch: A Taste of East Staffordshire – Food, Drink & The Visitor Economy will champion sustainable local procurement, connecting ambitious local suppliers with major regional buyers.
“This is an interactive session for field-to-fork suppliers and local food and drink manufacturers, connecting producers to possibility.”
Taking place on Wednesday 13 May from 9am until noon, the event is at Burton Rugby Football Club and buyers in attendance will include Peter Russell, Consulting Principal for world-leading food consultancy business the Russell Partnership Collection, which has delivered the food strategy for global organisations and major events including the London 2012 Olympic Games and LIV Golf, which will be holding a major tournament at JCB in Staffordshire this year.
Jean-Paul Larose is Head of Procurement at Leek-based Ornua Foods UK, a key player in the UK dairy supply chain and the UK’s largest supplier of pre-packed hard cheese, serving all major retailers as well as wholesale, convenience and foodservice markets.
Liz Salter, Head of Procurement at University of Staffordshire will explain the university’s public sector procurement and framework agreements, setting out how SMEs can become tender-ready.
Spaces for the BIG Buyers Brunch: A Taste of East Staffordshire – Food, Drink & The Visitor Economy can be booked at: https://www.finditinstokeandstaffs.co.uk/events/book/the-big-buyers-brunch-a-taste-of-east-staffordshire–food-drink–the-visitor-economy
To attend as a buyer, or to enquire about exhibition space, contact helen@finditin.co.uk.
To find out more about the support available for businesses in the county, call Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Business Helpline on 0300 111 8002.
